Entitlements, Grants and Loans

Worrying about lack of money (or debt) is soul destroying, it can cause sleeplessness, stress and depression. Anyone who has ever worked with single parents dreads the requests for advice that begin with ‘my washing machine has broken down and I have no money’ or ‘my child needs a bed and it’s all I can do to pay the gas bill’. It is awful to think about a single parent whose washing machine has broken down. Knowing that they’re doing their best trying to wash clothes out by hand or paying a whole week’s food money into a launderette is painful to think back to, many of us have been there. It is so easy to fall into debt. When you need a big household item or a birthday present for your child the catalogues and loan agencies are sorely tempting even though you know it’s going to be a struggle to pay them back.

There certainly isn’t a great deal of help for single parents who are in debt or short of money but the following might be useful.

If you have been left without money, perhaps you are waiting for earnings or benefits to come through, you may be able to get a crisis loan from Job Centre Plus. You do not have to be on benefits to apply; however the agency will need to see evidence to support your request. If you have been left without essential household items, for example bedding or cooking utensils, you may be eligible for a Community Care Grant.

The National Debtline on 0808 808 4000 (freephone) can advise anyone in the UK on debt, including bank, credit card, finance house, mortgage arrears, council tax, catalogues, hire purchase and utility debts. Issues dealt with include county court, refusal of credit, benefits, bankruptcy, bank charges, harassment, housing, home-lessness and bailiffs. They provide self-help information packs and a range of factsheets.

Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB) can always offer advice on welfare rights, money and debt, and are spread evenly around the UK. Look in your local phone book or call SPAN to find your nearest CAB. You may also have a local community advice or welfare rights service.

(FWA) Grants Service
The Family Welfare Association can help anyone living in the UK who is in need of financial assistance at a time of crisis in their lives. They will help with clothing (particularly children’s), fuel bills and household needs such as beds, cookers, washing machines, etc. They CANNOT help with rent arrears, council tax, fines, funeral expenses, private school fees or repayment of social fund loans or expenses already covered by statutory funds. Applications must be made by a professional person such as a Social Worker, Health Visitor or by a Voluntary Agency such as a local CAB. Average payments are £100 - £200. FWA also runs an Educational Grants Advisory Service (EGAS); students encountering difficulties during their course can make applications. Applications must be supported by a reference from a course tutor. The student is provided with as much information as possible on other appropriate sources of finance before being referred to the Grants Service for consideration. Address: 501-505 Kingsland Road, London, E8 4AU, Tel: 0207 254 6251 Monday and Friday only.

Family Service Units (FSU)
The FSU works with families in need in the inner cities of England and Scotland. If an FSU Social Worker feels that a family that is using the service is considered in need of a capital grant (up to £300) they apply to FSU head office on the family’s behalf. To find out if there is an FSU in your area call 0207 402 5175.

For a booklet called Money to Learn (Financial Help for Adults in Further Education and Training) call DfEE Publications Centre on 0845 602 2260 and quote reference MTLC.

Lone Parent Helpline – One Parent Families/Gingerbread - Call 0800 018 5026 (freephone) from England, Scotland or Wales for advice on maintenance, benefits and other money matters and key issues you face as a lone parent.

Single Parents in Northern Ireland can call Gingerbread for advice regarding benefits, money or debt on 0808 808 8090 (freephone).

Single Parent Action Network continues to campaign to alleviate the poverty faced by single parent families.